Yummy Gingerbread Bars

Gingerbread cookies are a big hit in our house, although I don’t make them as often as I should.

If you love gingerbread men but not the time it takes to make and decorate them, then you’re in for a treat today.  This recipe from The Girl Who Ate Everything is the perfect substitute and perfect sweet treat.

I make these yummy bars as dessert on the boat for the Tempe Festival of Lights Boat Parade.  It’s a fun event on Tempe Town Lake every year and one of the few times motorized boats are allowed on the man-made lake.  There are over 40 decorated boats that motor up and down the lake. Our boat is the RV from Christmas Vacation with Cousin Eddy in his white robe on the back.  Each year we modify our design to make it better.  This year’s boat will have streaming music from the movie.  I sure hope people will sing along with us.

I like to bake something tasty that wouldn’t make a mess and preferably one that didn’t require any silverware and these are the perfect little Christmas taste.  I also add festive sprinkles and cut them into bite-sized pieces.

If you’re looking for a delicious and easy treat to take to a holiday party, this is it.  As we get closer to Christmas our calendar is jammed packed with things to do and our to-do list seems never-ending.  You can definitely multitask with this recipe by addressing Christmas cards while they bake or making yet another grocery list while your house fills with the yummy smell of gingerbread.

The batter comes together quickly.  Begin by mixing the butter, sugars, vanilla and molasses then add the egg mix well.  Add the dry ingredients and mix until well combined.

Press it into a 13 x 9 pan and pop it in the oven for 15-20 minutes; 18 minutes is perfect in my oven.  Because I planned on cutting them into small pieces, I lined the baking pan with foil.

After they cool, I lift the foil out of the pan to frost them and use my long knife to cut the pieces.  If you do this, be careful not to cut all the way through the foil.

The boat parade is next weekend, time to whip out a batch now to eat and another batch to share on the lake.

Click to print recipe.

Gingerbread Bars

Recipe Credit:  The Girl Who Ate Everything

Bars:

• 1/2 cup melted butter
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
• 1/3 cup molasses
• 1 egg
• 2 teaspoons baking soda
• 2 cups flour
• 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1 Tablespoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/2 teaspoon salt

Frosting:

• 1/2 cup butter, softened
• 1 8 oz. package cream cheese, softened
• 1 pound (3 3/4 cups) powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• red and green sprinkles, optional

Preheat oven to 350.  Line a 13 x 9 pan with foil or spray with non-stick spray.

Beat butter, sugars, vanilla and molasses in a large bowl on medium speed until creamy. Add the egg and stir until completely mixed in.  Add baking soda, flour, spices and salt then mix until well combined.  Spread dough in the prepared pan, using clean hands to press dough evenly in the pan.

Bake for 15-20 minutes, do not overbake.  Cool on a wire rack.

For the frosting, cream together the butter and cream cheese.  Add powdered sugar and vanilla and slowly mix on low to incorporate then beat it on high until light and fluffy.  Spread evenly over bars.  Top with sprinkles if desired.

Store in an air tight container.